Nashville SC maintained their historic pace on Saturday night, beating Austin FC 4-1 on the road in a dominant showing that pushed them closer to the Supporters' Shield and the MLS single-season points record.
The win gives Nashville 63 points on the season, the most ever through 28 matches in league history. Their 23 wins in all competitions are the most in club history, continuing their record-breaking 2026 campaign.
The vibe check (TL;DR)
- What happened: Nashville bullied Austin on the road. The 'Yotes were dominant in the first half, going into the break up 1-0, but fully deserving of a 3-0 lead. After weathering a difficult spell from Austin, in which Brandon Vázquez pulled a goal back, they took control of the game again, scoring two late goals to make the win emphatic.
- What we learned: Nashville showed even more ability to manage games away from home and weather difficult stretches, while hitting an entirely different gear in the final third. They've now won three matches in a row, and hold a 13-point lead in the Supporters' Shield race.
- Big picture: With six games left in the regular season, Nashville need 12 points to set the MLS single-season record. With three matches at home and three on the road, the record feels entirely doable.
Highlights
Tired of cheering for bad Nashville sports teams? We've got you covered.
Nashville SC are the best team in Major League Soccer, and we're offering 50% off new yearly subscriptions. Take it from us; following a Nashville team can actually be fun!
Key moments
- 2' | Hany Mukhtar does well to settle the ball, round goalkeeper Brad Stuver, and play Sam Surridge in space across the box, but he stretches for his shot and puts it well over.
- 11' | Cristian Espinoza comes close to a golazo, but his shot is just too high to find the top corner.
- 14' | Andy Nájar is the next player to come close, forcing Stuver into a good low save from outside the box.
- 21' | Brian Schwake dances with a rare moment of disaster, passing straight to an Austin attacker, but he's unable to control it.
- 27' | Another nearly moment for Nashville, with Reed Baker-Whiting nearly touching home a cutback from Espinoza.
- 29' | Surridge comes close again after Nashville dance through the Austin defense, but his shot is blocked.
- 30' | Nashville finally break the dam with one of the ugliest goals you'll ever seen. Following a corner, Patrick Yazbek smashes the post from point-blank range, and a stumbling Baker-Whiting bundles it in off his chest.
- 33' | Surridge smashes the crossbar after an incredible run from Espinoza.
- 42' | Another unreal save from Schwake, who somehow gets across his goal to push a curler from Jon Gallagher past the far post.
- 52' | Mukhtar has a fantastic chance to double the lead, but puts his shot straight at Stuver.
- 58' | Mukhtar hits a shot from outside the box on a rope, but Stuver punches it out.
- 66' | An all-timer of a miss from Hany Mukhtar, who receives a flick and is the only player in Austin's half. His initial shot is saves, but he somehow pokes the rebound just wide.
- 67' | Elias Saad finally has the ball in the back of the net after a wicked cross from Espinoza, finally opening his account in Music City.
- 74' | Yet another miss from Nashville, with substitute Shak Mohammed smashing a shot off the bar from near the penalty spot.
- 76' | Austin pull a goal back through Brandon Vázquez, expertly finishing a half-volley with the outside of his right foot from a ridiculous angle.
- 88' | Mohammed calls game for Nashville, taking advantage of some incredibly lax defending from Austin, carrying the ball from outside the box and expertly tucking it in to the far post.
- 90+1' | Mukhtar adds one more for good measure, dribbling past Stuver and poking into an open goal.
Standout performers
- Hany Mukhtar continues his red-hot form, scoring his 15th goal of the season. Despite a handful of missed chances, he was dominant. Austin's backline will have nightmares.
- Elias Saad wasn't clinical, but continues to be a menace on the dribble and get into elite positions. His goal was well-deserved, and he's given this team a new dimension.
- Off the bench late, Shak Mohammed continues to change games for the 'Yotes. He nearly scored with his first touch, and scored a crucial late goal to give Nashville some breathing room.
Lineup notes
Back from the international break, BJ Callaghan rolled out his strongest-possible lineup. Warren Madrigal also returned to the squad after missing the last 11 matches with injury.
What it means
Nashville are a wagon. Watch out.
Up next
Nashville have a midweek date with Sporting Kansas City at Geodis Park on Wednesday. Sporting have conceded a league-leading 68 goals this season, and are on pace to concede 83, which would shatter the single-season record.
Stats
Possession: ATX 43% – 57% NSH
Field tilt (per Futi): ATX 30% – 70% NSH
Shots: ATX 11 – 24 NSH
Shots on goal: ATX 5 – 11 NSH
Penalty kicks: ATX 0 – 0 NSH
Goals: ATX 1 – 4 NSH
Expected goals: ATX 1.22 – 4.81 NSH
Total Passes: ATX 303 – 440 NSH
Fouls: ATX 5 – 10 NSH
Yellow cards: ATX 1 – 2 NSH
Red cards: ATX 0 – 0 NSH
Deserved win (per Futi): ATX 2% – 94% NSH
